Combined thread-guide and cover-plate fastener for sewing machines



F. PARRY 2,695,581 COMBINED THREAD-GUIDE AND COVER-PLATE FASTENER FOR SEWING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov.,30, 1954 Filed Nov. 21,-1952 1N V EN TOR ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1954 Filed Nov. 2l, 1952 F. PARRY COMBINED THREAD-GUIDE AND COVER-PLATE' FASTENER FOR SEWING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESS In S l INVENTR. OfaI/ fr@ ATTORNEY United States Patent Oice 2,695,581 Patented Nov. 30, 1954 COMBINED THREAD-GUIDE AND COVER-PLATE FASTENER FOR SEWING MACHINES Frank Parry, Trumbull, Conn., assignor to The Singer Manufacturing Company, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey The present invention relates to sewing machines and has for a primary object to prov1de in a sewing machine improved means for maintaining a frame cover-plate in the desired position. A further object of this invention is to provide a simplified form of thread-guide and coverplate securing means.

Having in mind the above and other objects that will be evident from an understanding of this disclosure, the invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts as illustrated in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, which is hereinafter set forth in such detail as to enable those skilled in the art readily to understand the function, operation, construction and advantages of it when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

A Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a sewing machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the sewing machine illustrated in Fig. l, with the cover-plate shown in open position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of Fig. 2 showing the lubricant cut-olf swung to itsY off position.

The present invention is illustrated in the drawings as embodied in a sewing machine having a bed 1 from which rises the usual standard 2 carrying the overhanging bracket-arm 3 that terminates in a head 4. This machine is the same as that illustrated and described in applicants copending application Serial No. 321,801, filed November 2l, 1952, to which reference may be had for a detailed description of the same. The machine is described herein only insofar as it relates to the present invention.

Journaled longitudinally of the bracket-arm 3, in suitable bearings 5 and 6, is an arm shaft 7 which carries on its one end the usual combined hand-wheel and belt pulley 8 through which power is delivered to the machine. Within the bracket-arm 3, the shaft 7 carries a pulley 9 that is connected by means of a belt 10 running within the standard 2 to a similar pulley 11 carried by ,a bed-shaft 12 journaled in the bed 1 parallel to the shaft 7. By this means power is delivered to the bedshaft of the machine for actuating the various mechanisms in the bed.

Located within the head 4 are the usual sewing machine mechanisms which are automatically lubricated by means of wicking that receives the lubricant from a well 13 formed vertically in the upper portion of the bracket-arm 3 and conducts it to the point at which it is to be used. The well 13 is partially lled with a lubricant-absorbent pad 14 that includes an upstanding portion 15 extending to a substantially higher elevation than the remainder of the pad. Also formed in the upper portion of the bracket-arm 3 is an upwardly-open lubricant-reservoir 16, closed by a cover-member 17 secured in place as by screws 18. The lubricant is conducted from the reservoir 16 by a wick 19 that has one end within the reservoir, and which extends through an appropriate slot in the frame wall between the reservoir 16 and well 13 and into the well 13. That end of wick 19 within the well 13 is secured to a shut-olf lever 20 pivoted on one of the screws 18 and which is adapted to carry the end thereof into and out of contact with the upstandng portion 15 of the pad 14. It will be understood that when the wick 19 contacts the portion refilling the lubricant reservoir 16.

to the well 13, and when it is not in contact therewith, no lubricant will flow. The supply of lubricant within the reservoir 16 may be replenished by adding additional lubricant through a refill aperture 21.

The upper portion of the bracket-arm 3 is provided with a cover-plate 22 hinged along one side edge to the bracket-arm as by hinges 23, thus permitting access to the interior of the bracket-arm and the mechanism therein for purposes of maintenance or repair or for To hold the coverplate 22 in closed position there is provided a latchmember comprising a rod 24 bent intermediate its ends to form substantially horizontal and vertical legs, 2S and 26, respectively. The vertical leg 26 is rotatably mounted within a bore 27 provided in a boss 28 in the cover-plate 22 and is held against longitudinal movement within the bore 27 by two spaced collars 29 and 30, the collar 29 being integral with or secured to the leg 26 and the collar 30 being releasably secured thereto as by a set screw 31.

The collar 30 includes an integral, laterally extending latch-element 32 having one corner beveled, as at 33, to form a cam-like upper surface. Cooperating with the latch-element 32 is a ledge-member 34 formed from a blank of sheet metal and adapted to be secured to the bracket-arm 3 as by two of the screws 18. The ledgemember includes a lateral arm 35 serving as a retaining ledge under which the latch element 32 is adapted to be lodged, the beveled edge 33 allowing the latch element readily to ride under the arm or ledge 35. The one side edge of the ledge 35 is turned downwardly to form a stop 36 which limits turning of the latch-member to that position in which the latch-element 32 underlies the ledge 35. It will be noted that the horizontal leg 25 serves as a handle or means by which the vertical leg 26 and consequently the collar 30 can be turned.

The horizontal leg 25 is provided with a longitudinal bore 37 which extends inwardly from the end thereof for a short distance. The one side of this leg is cut away a slabbed 01T, as at 38, to a point spaced from the end thereof to expose the inner end of the bore 37, and it is provided with a transverse aperture 39 adjacent the bend therein. The bore 37 and aperture 39 serve as thread-guides, the thread being run from the source of supply through the aperture 39 toward the slabbed side 38, and then through the bore 37, through other thread guides, as 40, and tension devices 41 and finally to one of the needles 42. Since the illustrated machine is of the two needle type a thread guide 43 is provided for the second thread, which guide is similar to the one above described but which is merely threaded into the cover-plate 22.

From the above it will be seen that, in accordance with the present invention, there has been provided a novel latching means for the cover-plate of a sewing machine which not only readily permits unlatching and opening of the cover-plate, but which also serves as a thread-guide. This simplified construction provides substantial savings in manufacture by the elimination of one element when the combined structure serves' the function of two. There is also a savings resulting in handling and from the reduction of inventory, since now only one part need be shipped or stocked rather than two. Further, both the thread-guide and the coverplate fastener would constitute separate elements protruding from the confines of the machine. The elimination of one such protruding element not only improves the appearance of the machine but also simplifies handling and the packaging of it for shipment, since such protruding elements are easily damaged and must be given special attention. Also, in the operation of the machine, the elimination of one protruding element eliminates one source of interference with manipulation of the goods or of thread-handling since the goods or thread may easily become entangled with the same.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of my invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modications which `do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

`Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, vwhat I claim herein is:

rl. In a `sewing machine having a frame, anda cover- ,plate for an opening in said frame, a combined threadguide and cover-plate Lfastener comprising, a rod journaled in .said cover-plate and bent intermediate its ends to form a iirst leg and a second` leg, a thread Iguide provided `on said rst leg, and a collar provided on rsaid second leg, said collar having a laterally projecting latch element, and 'a retaining ledge carried by said -frame -for engagement by said latch-element to hold the cover- 'plate closed.

y2. In a sewing machine having a frame, anda hinged vcover-platefor an opening in said frame, a combined thread-guide and cover-plate fastener comprising,. a rod journaled in said'cover-plate and bent intermediate its ends to form al tirst leg and a second leg, a thread `guide provided on said first leg, and a collar provided on said second leg, said-collar having a laterally projecting latch element, and a retaining ledge carried by said -frame for engagement by said latch-element -to .hold the coverplate closed.

3. In a sewing machine frame having an opening in 'a `wall thereof, `and a cover-plate adapted "to close said yledge secured to said frame adjacent said cover-plate and being adapted to cooperate with said latch-element to hold said cover-plate in closed position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date '344,473' Bond 'June 29, 1886 2,298,767 Johnson Oct. y13, .1942

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 281,720 Switzerland July l, vl95 2 

